[Hiring] Software Engineer @dbt Labs

Role Description

As a Software Engineer working on dbt Fusion, you’ll help build a next-generation analytics engine written in Rust that significantly improves performance, correctness, and developer experience across dbt workflows. You’ll work on a modern, state-aware execution engine with deep SQL understanding across multiple warehouses, enabling faster debugging, smarter orchestration, and more efficient large-scale deployments.

This role offers the opportunity to contribute to both open source and commercial code while shaping the future of dbt’s core platform.

At dbt Labs, you’ll have the freedom and responsibility to own entire slices of the product, move with speed, and leave fingerprints all over features used by thousands of data teams. If you’re the type of engineer who can see the big picture, sweat the details, and still move like a startup founder, you’ll fit right in.

This position is a unique opportunity to work on mission-critical projects for dbt that will significantly improve the experience of our customers and developers. You’ll help build truly differentiated systems and engines that set us apart from other database technologies.

What You’ll Do

• Collaborate with Product, Design, Operations, and Security to deliver well-architected, scalable compute solutions.
• Participate in technical architecture discussions with a focus on query engines, storage systems, and distributed database design.
• Build services, APIs, and experiences that support user delight, quality, high availability, and performance.
• Tackle ambiguous, open-ended technical challenges with strategic thinking, balancing technical constraints with user needs and product goals.
• Drive best practices in testing, observability, and system reliability.
• Champion a culture of technical excellence and innovation, influencing engineering direction across multiple teams or domains.

Qualifications

• Strong coding skills in at least one of the following technologies: Rust, Python, Go or Java.
• Familiarity with cloud infrastructure (AWS, GCP, Azure, Kubernetes, Terraform).
• Proven ability to participate in complex projects and collaborate across functions.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, clear communication, and a strong sense of ownership.
• Interest in systems, data infrastructure, compilers, or analytical tooling, even if experience is primarily academic.
• Experience working on non-trivial projects (coursework, internships, research, open-source, personal projects) that required persistence and iteration.
• Willingness and enthusiasm to work across the stack and learn new technologies as the problem demands.
• Evidence of being self-directed and curious—you proactively learn new tools, languages, or concepts when needed.

Bonus Points If You Have

• Contributions to open source database technologies projects such as Apache Arrow, DuckDB, MongoDB Runtime, or other analytical data systems.
• Expertise in database systems, query engines, or storage systems.
• Experience with performance optimization, observability, or large-scale query engines.

Benefits

• Annual Salary: $120,000 - $170,000 USD
• Equity Stake
• Unlimited vacation (and yes we use it!)
• 401k
• Pension Plan
• 16 weeks Paid Parental Leave
• Wellness stipend
• Home office stipend, and more!

What to expect in the hiring process

• Interview with Talent Acquisition Partner
• Interview with Hiring Manager
• Team Interviews
• Final Round Values Interview

dbt Labs is an equal opportunity employer, committed to building an inclusive team that welcomes diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences. Even if your experience doesn’t perfectly align with the job description, we encourage you to apply—we value potential just as much as a perfect resume.

Want to learn more about our focus on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at dbt Labs? Check out our DEI page.

dbt Labs reserves the right to amend or withdraw the posting at any time. For employees outside the United States, dbt Labs offers a competitive benefits package. RSUs or comparable benefits may be offered depending on the legal or country limitations.